iPhone Fold rumors: Everything we know so far, including the leaked design, upgrades, price and more details

Source: Engadget

Apple still hasn’t officially announced a foldable iPhone, but the rumor mill hasn’t slowed down. Over the past few months, analysts, supply‑chain watchers, and leakers have continued to sketch out what Apple’s first folding phone might look like and when it could finally arrive. Most signs still point to a late‑2026 debut, though plenty could change between now and then.

Disclaimer: As always with unreleased Apple hardware, nothing here is confirmed. Plans can shift, features can be reworked, and timelines can slip. Still, the volume and consistency of recent reporting gives us a better sense than ever of how the so‑called iPhone Fold could take shape.

Below, we’ve rounded up the most credible rumors so far, and we’ll keep this guide updated as new details emerge.

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When Could the iPhone Fold Launch?

• Historical context: Rumors of a foldable iPhone date back to 2017.
• Current consensus: Most sources now point to Fall 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.
• Key voices:
  • Mark Gurman initially suggested a launch “as early as 2026,” then later wrote that the device would ship at the end of 2026 and sell primarily in 2027.
  • Ming‑Chi Kuo repeatedly cites the second half of 2026 as Apple’s target.
• Potential delay: Some reports claim the project could slip into 2027 if Apple encounters manufacturing or durability issues—especially around the hinge or display. Apple’s history of delaying products that aren’t ready makes this a real possibility.

What Will the iPhone Fold Look Like?

• Form factor: The prevailing view is a book‑style design (similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series) rather than a clamshell flip phone.
• Unfolded size: Expected to resemble a small tablet, roughly 7.7–7.8 inches (a touch smaller than the iPad mini’s 8.3 inches).
• Closed size: Outer display in the 5.5‑inch range, functioning like a conventional smartphone.
• Dimensions & footprint:
  • CAD leaks and alleged case‑maker molds suggest a shorter, wider device when folded, creating a squarer footprint that matches the inner display’s aspect ratio.
  • Thickness estimates: 4.5–5.6 mm when unfolded; 9–11 mm when folded, depending on hinge design and internal layering.
• Design cues: The “iPhone Air” (as reported by Engadget) may be a preview of Apple’s foldable chassis, given its unusually thin profile.

Display and the Crease Question

• Supplier: Apple is expected to rely on Samsung Display as its primary supplier.
• Technology: At CES 2026, Samsung showcased a crease‑less foldable OLED panel. Bloomberg and other sources suggest this could be the same technology Apple plans to use.
• Construction: The panel reportedly combines a flexible OLED with a laser‑drilled metal support plate that disperses stress when folding, aiming for a nearly invisible crease—a requirement Apple reportedly deems essential before entering the foldable market.
• Impact: If true, this would be a notable improvement over current foldables, which still show visible creasing under certain lighting conditions.

Cameras and Biometrics

• Camera setup (rumored):

  1. Rear‑camera module – main sensor (≈48 MP)
  2. Rear‑camera module – ultra‑wide sensor (≈48 MP)
  3. Outer display – punch‑hole camera (likely 12 MP)
  4. Inner display – under‑display camera (rumored 24 MP)

• Biometrics:

  • Apple may drop Face ID on the Fold.
  • Instead, a Touch ID sensor built into the power button (similar to recent iPad models) could be used, keeping both displays free of notches or Dynamic Island cutouts.

• Under‑display camera: Historically lower‑quality, but a rumored 24 MP sensor would be a significant step up compared with existing foldables.

Hinge and Materials

• Material: Reports claim Apple will use Liquidmetal (Apple’s branding for a metallic‑glass alloy).
  • Advantages: Stronger and more deformation‑resistant than titanium while remaining lightweight, potentially improving long‑term durability and reducing wear on the display.
• Additional engineering: Leaks (e.g., from Jon Prosser) reference a metal plate beneath the display that works with the hinge to minimize creasing—consistent with Korean and Chinese supply‑chain sources.

Battery and Other Components

• Battery capacity: Ming‑Chi Kuo and multiple Asian supply‑chain reports indicate Apple is testing high‑density cells in the 5,000–5,800 mAh range.
  • This would be the largest battery ever used in an iPhone and competitive with (or larger than) batteries in current Android foldables.
• Chipset & modem: Expected to feature a future A‑series processor and Apple’s in‑house modem.

Price

• Expectation: The iPhone Fold will be Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever.
• Current estimates: Roughly $2,000 – $2,500 (USD), though final pricing will depend on configuration and regional taxes.

We’ll continue to update this guide as new, credible information emerges.

Conclusion

The iPhone Fold is expected to start at $2,000, with analysts narrowing the likely price range to $2,100–$2,300. This would place the device well above the iPhone Pro Max and closer to Apple’s high‑end Macs and iPads.

Despite years of rumors, many details remain unclear. Apple has not confirmed the name “iPhone Fold,” final dimensions, software features, or how iOS will adapt to a folding form factor. Questions also remain about durability, repairability, and long‑term reliability. For now, the safest assumption is that Apple is taking its time, and many of these details could still change before launch.

This article originally appeared on Engadget.
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